Chapter 38: Early bird gets the worm

'Inner Thoughts'

°Telepathic communication°

Yukino's POV

Unlike most mornings I felt warm. 'Morning?' Hearing the sounds of birds chirping I tried moving but couldn't. Something was holding me in place.

Under the blanket, I moved my feet kicking the blankets away from my head until I could see. In front of me, I recognized the familiar wall of the inn and the futon underneath me. Wondering how I got back I noticed long black hair that wasn't mine. Turning my head slowly I saw Itachi a couple of inches away from my face sleeping peacefully. 'Wait…' Looking down, I saw my body rolled inside the blanket as he clung to it like a pillow. Rolling out from his grasp I grabbed his abandoned pillow from his futon and placed it in his arms.

As I was about to grab the blanket I noticed the familiar necklace hanging from his neck. 'He still has it?' Feeling a smile tugging on my lips I placed the blanket on him and tiptoed to the other room.

Closing the sliding door gently I sighed relieved to not have woken him up. 'Now, what happened last night?' I wondered as I noticed my pencils on the table. About to enter detective mode I realized that there was another way to find out what happened.

Activating my eyes I did the ram sign for the jutsu taught to me. Revelation. The area was enveloped in a faint bluish-white glow as it revealed the events of last night. Not wanting to hear the embarrassing stuff I probably said I muted the events.

Watching things unfold from the moment I was brought to the room I stood patiently waiting for the moment that I went to sleep. Long after my father left after talking to Itachi in the balcony I watched as Itachi tried telling me to go sleep. After a while of not obeying he went into the room.

Confused as to what he was doing, the me of the past probably thought the same thing and went to check. The moment the door was opened the blanket was thrown on past me and she was immediately wrapped up in the blanket. Opening the door slightly to see what happened I watched as past me squirmed around trying to get out.

At one point he just laid down wrapping his arms around the blanket to keep me still. Watching past me's blank expression as the night went on I turned my attention to Itachi who fell asleep before I did. Guessing everything after that I ended the scene.

'So that's what happened last night.' I sighed only remembering up to the point where the ladies gave me the sake cup. It was sweet and I liked the taste so I kept drinking it. Never did I imagine that I would forget a whole night. 'I'm not doing that again.'

Remembering past me pocketing something that Itachi gave me I looked in the pockets of my dress finding a lilac rose eraser. Realizing what it meant I felt my face steam up as I remembered that otou-san was present when he gave it to me. 'I should tell him before he finds out.' I told myself not knowing how exactly.

Looking down at the eraser I traced the edges with a small smile before I decided to put it back in my pocket. Deciding to focus on it later I fanned my face wanting to cool down. Opening the portal to my library I was stunned as I stared at Ryota on the other side. "Hi, dork." He smirked attempting to hide the book behind him.

"Mhm." I nodded looking at his hand suspiciously.

"Fine." He took off his shoes and stepped into the room. "I was looking for this." He sighed planting the old book in my hands.

Remembering the book as the one that taught me almost everything I used I felt protective of it. But I also felt happy that he was continuing his learning without me. Slowly closing the door behind me I waved my hand closing the portal. Walking away from the door I sat down in the center of the room. Patting the mat with a smile he obeyed sitting with his back towards me. Placing the book beside me I opened another portal and took out my comb. "Look at it later. Now tell me what I missed."

Ryota's POV

Sitting down she took out the familiar old comb and began brushing my hair. Something I wasn't totally foreign to since we did it from time to time when we traveled together months ago.

Slowly and gently she combed through it as we talked using her mind link. Telling her what I couldn't the day she visited I could feel her smile. At one point she took out her plans and set them in my lap. Looking through each one with raised eyebrows as each plan was complex yet simple enough for me to understand what she wanted to build. °I really like the plans, maybe Nori will work on it when he finishes the north town.° I hummed as she kept brushing.

°I'm glad. I drew them last night.° She giggled and patted my back softly.

Somehow that action reminded me of something that I heard. °Have you gone to Sunagakure recently?°

°Please. I've been avoiding that area since the slip-up.° She huffed as she began to comb her own hair.

°I'll do it.° I asked for her comb. Once in my hand, I glanced momentarily at the faded paint and broken teeth of the wooden comb. °Well did you know that Gaara became Kazekage?° I continued with what I was talking about as I combed through her hair noticing that it grew longer than before to the point that it covered her exposed shoulders.

°Yeah, Hinata told me. I should introduce you two one day.° She sighed, smiling at something that she remembered. Gently caressing the cover of the book her red bangs fell on her face showing just how much the red had spread throughout her head. Wanting to extend my hand and tuck it behind her ear I held back. °Ryota, learn as much as you can. When I find the time I will teach you how to use the jutsu of the Getsugan.° Opening a small portal she placed it in the library.

°Really I was going to use it to learn the mystical hand technique–°

Suddenly the sliding door leading to the bedroom opened, making both of us jump in surprise, mostly me since I thought she was alone. Looking at the door I saw an attractive raven-haired man come out of the room. His hair was untied but never the less it still looked good. Glancing at Yukino for her input I noticed her avoiding eyes and fidgeting hands. "Yukino?" Noticing her bright red ears I gasped. 'Does she like him?' Not wanting to say anything I couldn't help it. "I hope last night wasn't too rough." I snorted which caused her to gasp and push me playfully.

"That didn't happen." She stated but at the same time, her face just reddened even more to the point that it matched her red streaks.

Looking up at the guy who was still standing by the doorway he looked towards the balcony catching the morning light on his face but even with that, I noticed the faint blush on his face. 'What happened?' I wanted to know so badly but even know that it would be hard to get answers from Yukino. 'I knew I should've let her teach me how to interrogate someone.'

Suddenly I was pushed to the side as Yukino got up and ran to the bathroom. 'Okay…' I thought before I heard a certain sound coming from the bathroom. 'But aside all that who is he…' I wondered going through everything she told me about the people she knew. "Shisui?" I said but brushed it off remembering that he died.

"You're Ryota, right?" The man asked with a voice that could melt. 'Dammit! He's hotter than I thought.'

"Yeah?" I cleared my throat. "If you know me that means you're okay." I shrugged looking in the direction of the bathroom still hearing the sound of someone who drank something that they shouldn't have. "Well…" I turned my attention back to him. "Who are you?"

"Itachi Uchiha."

"Oh, that Itachi." I sighed remembering the name from the stories Kamen-san told me. "You look like he said you would but older." I hummed going through my memories swearing that I heard his name elsewhere. But where…

"You must really care for Yukino for her to allow you to touch her comb." Surprised by his question I realized that I had been brushing my hair again at one point. 'Is this really important to her?' I asked myself as I stared at the old comb that could look as if it was hundreds of years old.

"Well if we appear that close." I smiled smugly. "I'm honored. But honestly, I think of her as a sister."

"Aww…" Turning my head towards the sound, Yukino stood by the bathroom door holding her hand to her chest. "I thought of you like a sibling too…" she smiled.

Feeling my face flame up I curled up embarrassed that she had heard that. Hearing her approaching I looked up and she swooped in for a hug. 'When was the last time someone hugged me?' I sighed returning the hug not caring for the awkwardness that the guy was feeling just watching this.

"You know what? I will give my ideas to Nori. Can you collect the last items? Here," Taking out a list she gave it to me. "It should be in the poison section passing the desert area."

"Sure," I hummed as she let go and quickly disappeared into a portal by just rolling to the side taking her plans with her. The warmth I felt a moment ago was still there reminding me of something in my own past. Before I could zone out and remember it I looked over the list she gave me ignoring the onyx eyes staring at me. Making a plan of the route I should take to make my small trip quick I jumped to a stand.

Opening a portal I jumped into the garden's center area. What I didn't expect was the unintended visitor that jumped in with me. "Holy–" I jumped away once I felt the presence right behind me.

"Ryota," He said as I caught a glint of red. Remembering what his eyes did I activated the Getsugan just in case.

"Yukino taught me many forms of combat!" I yelled getting into my fighting stance.

His eyes remained red as he squinted slightly confused. "I want to help. It should go faster with two people." He lifted the bag he had folded in his hand.

"Oh," I laughed rubbing the back of my neck embarrassed for overreacting. "Well, you should've started with that." I walked over to the supplies and picked them up. "The poison section should be a couple of minutes that way." I pointed to one of the paths.

"I see." He nodded looking around with a tinge of curiosity at the place. His eyes no longer red as he had probably used them to see the list.

"It's nice right?" I asked. "Apparently Yukino received this place as a gift." I gestured to the flowering plants and trees. This beautiful timeless world was hers yet she chose to let me in. That made me happy. "If only I could show her…"

"Hm?"

"Nothing," I said as we entered the desert area full of cacti and other plants that I didn't want to touch. "Oh, look were close." I picked up my pace not wanting to be in the desert area any longer and get some sand or needles on me.

Remembering the list I handed it to him. "I'll take care of the first half you take care of the other half. Picking up the tools I began cutting the things she needed.

Quietly I began cutting at the plants making sure to leave enough in case she ever needed them on a different occasion.

Cough. Cough. Hearing the raspy sounds of someone coughing I looked behind me seeing Itachi covering his mouth. "That sounded awful. You should drink some honey and lemon for that." I told him remembering the last time I coughed out a sound like that.

"I will consider that." He cleared his throat before returning to collecting the plants.

"Well, another thing you can do is– Ack!" Hissing I held my hand close to my chest stopping the blood spilling to the clean world. Remembering Yukino's teachings I healed my hand as best as I could to stop the bleeding and prevent future scarring. 'Scars are no good.' I repeated in my mind remembering Yukino and her scarless hands. 'No one will suspect you of being a shinobi if you don't have scars.'

"Fuuuuudge." I hissed picking up the plant and throwing it to the basket. The wound was gone but I still remembered the pain. "How does Yukino do it?" I jumped around clutching my hand. Hissing I exhaled and shook my hand trying to somehow alleviate the pain. Picking up my basket I looked around for Itachi seeing him nowhere.

Stumbling upon a river I backed away remembering where we were. "Itachi!" I called out spotting his hair a few feet away. Relieved I ran to him seeing him washing his hands. "Don't!" I pulled him back from the river. "You touched that?" I pointed to the river.

"I did."

Huffing I picked up a stick and stuck it into the water trying to find the poison inside. "Lucky for you it's nothing serious."

"You seem to know a lot about poisons."

"It would be an embarrassment if I didn't. Yukino drilled this into me once we began to travel together. She even told me the different ways to poison someone. Her favorites are of course,"

"Skin absorbent," we said at the same time.

"Yes. She loves to use those." I laughed, throwing the stick to the side. "Never touch her stuff unless she hands it to you." I chuckled remembering how I ate from her plate once. 'But now I should be fine, my resistance is better than what it was.' I smiled proudly at myself. "Let's go back."

Returning back to the room I looked around but couldn't see her. "We got back earlier." I sighed, placing down the bag carefully. Opening another portal to the library I looked through one bookshelf with antidotes. "Here drink this just in case." I took one out and passed it to him while I looked for the one that probably got into my system.

"Ryota."

"Hm?" I asked as I took a drink of the antidote.

"Why does Yukino kiss everyone?" He asked as if something came to him.

"You're right she does do it to everyone." I snorted remembering Kichi's reaction when Yukino did it. "Don't think too much about it, I think it's just a friendly gesture. Some people even do it back," I chuckled at the memory of everyone that did the simple action. The kiss on the cheek. "Her father does it, the women at brothels, Kichi-san kissed her there once, even Nori but that was an accident. It's weird everyone has kissed her on the cheek or forehead but none of that makes her embarrassed."

"It happens that often?"

"Believe it or not it does. Too many times now that I think about it." I crossed my arms wondering why she never complains about it. "She must've grown up with it being normal I guess." Remembering the picture of her family and the stories she told me I sighed. "Some in her family seem over-affectionate so I can see why." explaining that I realized that I had been distracted from what really mattered. "Hey. Tell me what is going on between you two–"

"I'm back!" Yukino popped back in with the biggest smile on her face. "Ryu-kun you won't believe what happened!" She held my hands and sighed. "No, ask Nori. He will tell you. I have so many plans∼" She sang and twirled around the room in bliss. "Ita-kun I will be visiting otou-san for an hour." She skipped out of the room without another word.

"Did she just call me Ryu-kun?" I looked at the door in confusion. Looking at the boy for his response I just saw his wide eyes and flushed face. 'Geez.' Knowing well enough to use this moment to leave I quickly opened a portal. Jumping into her library I closed the entrance behind me before he could realize that I was leaving. 'I'll ask next time.'

A while ago

Yukino's POV

With my plans in hand, I knew that I was right to leave Ryota in charge of gathering the poison. 'I will remain within the time frame and still have time.' I sighed happily as I ran to the building where Nori would probably be at.

"Kichi!" I waved happily seeing her standing by the entrance.

"Oh, Yukino. Nori said that if you came to go upstairs." She pointed to the higher floors.

"Okay, thanks." I ran past her looking for Nori.

Barging into the room I froze seeing the leaders of the other towns with Nori. "I'll come back later." I turned to leave.

"Wait!" Nori said, stopping me as I was about to close the door. "Did you need anything?"

"Well, you are in a meeting so maybe later." I looked at the exit.

"Are those building plans?" Kaito-san asked, eyeing the paper in my hands.

"Share them with us then." The head of the Yuki clan asked with a closed-eyed smile.

Seeing no problem with that I walked to the table and placed them down for them to look over. Silently they all grabbed one and began murmuring to the one beside them. "I like it." A woman with black hair said with a serene smile. "But back to the conversation, we were having I vote yes."

"I vote yes as well." The older man nodded, placing my plans down.

"I also vote in agreement," Nori added. Confused as to what was happening everyone stared at Kaito-san as if waiting for his decision on the matter they were talking about.

With a sigh, he nodded. "Yes."

"Well, it's decided then."

"Dear, this island has developed more in a year than it has in the decade that we've been here." The lady said with a sigh. "Nori."

"Right. Congratulations Yukino, you are the new leader of the island."

"The what?" I asked confused.

"The leader. Or what you call in those big nations a position similar to that of a Kage." The older man said.

'Huh? They want me to run the whole island?'

"We hope that you would take the position." The man continued adding a sigh at the end. "But if you don't think you are ready…"

"I will do it! I will do my best and devote my everything to this." I declared. "Thank you!" I turned away quickly and ran off.

3rd POV

With everyone watching the girl through the window they watched her leave the building with confidence. Waiting they counted the seconds after she was already out of view. Once she was gone they sighed and laughed hugging each other out of joy. "Finally! I will be able to train my clansmen!" The head of the Yuki clan shouted of joy feeling the responsibilities of everything mundane off her shoulders.

"I have to agree with you. Worrying about passing down our clan techniques without the tasks of a chief is nice." The older man laughed happily. "Maybe now I will have time to play with my grandkids."

"You're celebrating as if the responsibilities of head are nothing." Kaito scoffed seeing the two older heads celebrating. Turning to Nori he gave him a quizzical look as the other man was tearing up. "What's wrong with you?"

"I don't know what to do now that I'm not chief…"

"Aren't you the head of the Uzumaki clan?" Kaito asked him only to see the man shake his head.

"No," he wiped his eyes. "I'm the head of the shrine, completely different. Also, they are really picky so we've been without a proper head for years." He sighed when the words sunk in. "I'm no longer head…" laughing he hugged the other two older heads and laughed feeling the huge responsibility no longer on him.

Kaito being the only one taking this seriously smiled at the sight and just joined the hug. The people he had worked alongside for years were now going to go their own paths and live their own lives. Something he was never able to do being the youngest of the group. 'Who am I without the title of chief?' He asked himself but only smiled excited to find out.

Weeks later and some time management

Yukino's POV

Standing in the outskirts of the city I walked with Nori as he informed me of the developments. "How have the plans been going?"

"Hm… we're on schedule. They have decided on their town names and agreed to the renovations." He handed me a map of the island. The south town has been named Kairi, the west town has been named Kaigara, and the north town has chosen the name Kazahana. "The people here have voted to make this the main city since it's deep within the mainland."

"That's nice but what's with the Ka in every town name?"

"Don't know."

"Well, then. At least that part is done. What about the training facilities?"

"The area near the cove has been chosen but with the activation of the layline it seems to be in operation. Why are you even looking for a training facility?"

"I'll tell you later." I stopped seeing the big doors leading to the place I waited for. Pushing them open I peaked at the other side seeing the three big buildings. "Look at that… I hope they'll love it." I pushed the doors open and passed through.

"I'm sure this place will give them more space to play around and their caretaker will have an easier time keeping track of them."

"I hope so… I heard that more from the other towns will be coming here. She will definitely have to find extra help."

"With the programs that have been created, it will become easier." Nori scribbled on the list he held. Looking around I couldn't help playing with my hands nervously. 'What if the kids don't like it?' I looked around scanning the trees hoping that they weren't too tall or dangerous for them. Stumbling on my own feet I was about to fall when Nori extended his hands attaching his chakra strings to me. "Yukino, when was the last time you slept properly?" He moved his fingers bringing me to a balanced stance.

"Sorry, sometimes when I'm trying to sleep my shadow clones go poof and they keep me up," I told him as he disconnected the strings. 'Wow, he really learned it.'

"You should take a break then, people can take a break from learning how to weave and make pottery. We can focus on the other things at a later date."

"Can I really?" I asked happier than I intended to.

"Of course, you can focus on teaching people later when you're feeling better."

Deciding to listen to Nori's advice I decided to sleep after giving him the plans for the training facility. "Can you make sure they are safe? Once it does I can move to the second part of my plan." I thought excitedly. Project by project the island was coming up nicely.

Ryota's POV

"Now do as you just watched me do. Little by little your work will begin to show itself so don't be upset." I said as the weaving machines began to creak.

Boom! Jumping everyone, even me, looked at the door when Nori stood. "Forgive me." He apologized before walking over to me.

"Nori-san, did you come to learn to weave?"

"Another time. Where is Yukino?" He asked, getting to the point.

"You know the small island closest to this one?" I asked and he nodded. "Well, she said something about buying that island, from… I forgot what daimyo. I think she mentioned something about being a sugar baby." I mumbled the last part.

"What?"

"Nothing. I wonder if it will work, she went there under disguise and took Emi so she can learn about deception." I wondered before remembering my job. "Well, there are people here who want to learn to weave so… Back to weaving. Is anyone having trouble?"

Stepping on the newly bought island I took a quick look around seeing nothing special. "So… why did you buy this island again?"

"I can explain that," Emi spoke proudly. Glancing at Yukino the latter nodded allowing Emi to continue. °We can only advance so much with the resources we have so this island will be our cover. We will begin trade with nearby towns, specifically the land of waves, to receive materials and money to build our village.°

"Exactly. Right now we may not have a need to trade with other places but we will have to in the future so it's better to set things up now for when we have to." Yukino added once Emi finished.

"I see… so why did you bring me here? There must be a reason for it." I guessed.

"There is. Follow me." Yukino waved towards a part of the island.

Following close behind her I saw the silhouette of Uzushio in the distance. Seeing the whirlpools surrounding it and the dense forests covering the island I smiled knowing that that was not the case. Contrary to what I was seeing the part of the island that I was looking at should have at least a couple of buildings that should be noticeable from a distance. 'The barrier really works.' I hummed. Stopping to look where I stood I noticed the cliff under my feet. "Look behind you."

Turning around I got a better look at the place. "You see that place right there." Yukino pointed to the shore visible from this height. "I want you to gather a team and help build a port since the layline doesn't reach here and Nori can't build it."

"A port?"

"Yes," Emi responded with a firm nod.

"For what ship?"

"One that Kaito has been building when I bought building plans for him." Yukino smiled.

"Kaito-san has taken an interest in sailing," Emi added, "and workshop building."

"Okay then. Do you have plans? Or do I just build something?"

"I'll leave my shadow clones here to help. Emi already found the materials necessary and we brought them here."

"You're leaving your shadow clones? Where are you going?"

"I'm going to collect a plant that we absolutely need if we are going to use our eyes."

"Wait you mean that herb that Kamen-san mentioned?"

"That plant exactly." She snapped her fingers. "I'll be back as soon as I can." She opened a portal and jumped through.

・・・

Deciding first on making a stone path I headed towards the cliff to collect stones. Creating one adamantine chain I carefully wrapped it around two large stones and carried them towards the place where the dock would be built.

Placing them down I saw the dugout road where it would go. Seeing Yukino's shadow clones digging out the path I walked up to one and asked. "Hey, where is Yukino?"

"Uh…"

Somewhere…

Screams could be heard coming from a canyon as one lonely girl ran around looking for an herb that she didn't even know if it existed.

The frequency of the screams decreased the more time passed. Resorting to holding in her screams once she realized they were humans she used her adamantine chains to walk. Not touching the ground she curled up focusing on moving the chains the way a spider would to walk. Tip. Tip. Tip. The sound could be heard in the foggy canyon as she wandered around blindly hoping to find the herb and get out.

"Somewhere you can't reach at the moment."

"Oh ok."

Thump. Looking back at the stone pile I spotted Emi pulling out certain rocks and rolling them towards the dugout path. "Can I put them in?" She asked.

"Go ahead." Yukino's shadow responded as she returned to the rest of the path.

Hearing the rolling stones I watched as Emi placed each rock down carefully as if she were building a puzzle. "Can I help?" I asked.

"Sure. Go prepare the cement with the others."

Sighing at the task I made my way to the tent set up but stopped noticing something on the ground. Bending down to pick up the colorful pebbles an idea came into my head to mix place these pebbles in the cement between the bigger rocks to make the path prettier. 'This is perfect.' Picking up more rocks I looked for the pretty smooth ones and pocketed them for later use.

Yukino's POV

Finding the elusive herb I wasted no time unearthing the plant and putting it in a pot before placing it in my garden. Taking good note of the conditions of where I found it I took a soil sample and placed it next to the potted herb. 'That should be it.' I nodded before crawling into my garden wanting to leave this cursed canyon behind.

Rolling out from my garden into a nearby town I brushed myself off as the sunset set its glow on town. Lifting my face I walked around looking for something to bring me some comfort after being chased around for hours in the foggy canyon. The memory of trying to get that herb will forever be etched into my mind as one of pure terror.

"Yukino." Hearing my name being called I looked around for anyone I knew but couldn't see any. "Yukino." Someone called again but this time they placed their hand on my shoulder causing me to jump. Turning my head immediately I saw a young man with stormy colored eyes.

"Who are you?" I asked, confused as to how this person knew my name because I was more than sure that I would remember someone.

"It's me. Hitomu Sanyu."

"I'm sorry who?" I asked not really knowing anyone by that name.

"Oh, right. I never told you my real name. It's me Gou. We went on a mission together." He placed a hand on his chest and smiled.

"Hm. Sorry, I still don't know anyone by that name." I lied wanting to keep my real identity a secret from the Anbu members. 'How did he recognize me without my mask?'

"Well, Yukino–"

"Sanyu-san, the meat is here!" Someone called to him from inside the store. Taking the opportunity I quickly disappeared into an alleyway and entered the nearest open shop.

Not paying attention to the shop I walked deeper inside pretending to have some interest in what was being sold. When all I was doing was trying to pass the time before it was clear enough for me to find a place to return to Uzushio.

Eventually knowing that enough time has passed I left and headed towards the emptiest place I could find to go back to the island.

Stepping onto the island I saw the stone path on the ground extending quite the length of the beaches edge. Finding it cute whoever thought to build it I noticed something in between the bigger rocks. Bending over I looked down noticing the cute smooth rocks embedded into the cement. Wanting to pluck on out I heard someone yell making me flinch in surprise.

"Yukino, that's still wet," Ryota yelled, skidding to a stop a few feet away. "Did you find the plant?"

"I did. I will try to grow more." Looking up at the clear sky I sighed. "Let's stop for today. We should let this dry up before we can build anything else."

"Sure. Hey, now that you're here there have been some people asking about the jutsu you did…"

3rd POV

Alone for the exception of two members in the base, the girl looked around before daydreaming about the things she would do on her return to the island. Making sure that the things she did would be possible with the time she had.

Mindlessly she scratched her arm a little bit and stopped once she realized what she was doing. Standing up she hummed as an idea popped into her head. 'I should look over Kichi's ideas for a festival.' She thought as she made her way to the infirmary where she knew that it would be empty.

However, along the way, her azure eyes met onyx ones. Bumping each other they both shared a knowing glance. Looking to the shadows she walked towards it. Following after her, she pulled him close once he was within reach.

"I missed you." She whispered hugging him close.

Lifting her chin he whispered back. "So did I."

Smiling in the dark she pulled on his cloak and pulled him down. Planting a kiss on his lips she inched back towards the potted plants to hide from view even further.

°How's your throat?° She asked, trailing her fingers on the skin of his neck. °Ryota told me that he heard you cough. It slipped my mind until now.° She asked even though that had happened weeks ago.

°I'm better now.° He grabbed her hand and placed it on the side of his head.

°I'm glad.° She smiled in the darkness hiding the small worry she had inside of her. 'I'm glad he's fine.' Rubbing his cheek with her thumb she inched close to him and planted a kiss on his cheek. "I'll see you later. Kisame is near." She whispered before letting go and walking out of the shadows.

Walking with a small skip to her step she turned the corner almost bumping into the member she knew was there. "What's the smile for?"

"I just thought of how I have no one to treat today." She hummed before pointing at the hallway behind her. "Also someone needs to fix the lightbulb. I almost tripped walking through there."

"Huh," he looked behind her at the shadows. "When did that happen?"

"Don't know. I'll be in the infirmary if you get injured." She left heading to the place she mentioned feeling an itch under her shirt.

Stepping into the infirmary she closed the door and took off her shirt seeing her skin red underneath. Throwing the shirt away she scratched herself as she still felt the itch on her body. 'Why is this?' Realizing something she grabbed the shirt and looked at the tag. 'I must be allergic to the material.' She guessed as she had never worn something with the materials listed.

Dropping the shirt she looked through her stuff finding some moisturizing cream. Rubbing it on her skin she sighed as the coolness of the cream brought some calm to her skin. 'That feels nice.' She sighed as she still felt itchy.

Opening the curtain to one of the beds she sat down as she tried to reach her back. She was so focused on trying to get her back that she didn't pay attention to who dropped in until they took the cream from her hands.

Turning her head she saw her lover and blushed. "I'll get that for you." He told her.

"Thanks." She turned around and reddened as his hands made contact with her bare skin. Bending her neck forward to move her hair to the side, "Itachi, thanks I–" About to ask something her foot slipped sending her face-first onto the bed.

"Are you okay?" She heard him ask as she wanted to curl up in embarrassment.

Suddenly the space to their side began to ripple as a portal was suddenly opened with Ryota at the other side back in Uzushio looking into the infirmary. Frozen mid entrance he stood staring at everything in front of him. His half-naked friend on the infirmary bed being towered by the same man who he saw with her in her room. °I'll come back later.° He said turning around.

°Wait!° She mentally yelled, making him grasp his head at the sharp sting he felt in his head. °Look closer.°

Weirded out by the request he looked back as she had stood up and turned her back to him showing him the butterfly making on her back as well as the red that had spread throughout it. °What happened,° he asked still staying in the portal just moving it closer to her to look at the rash that had formed on her whole upper body.

°I found an allergy of mine.°

"Ew. That's amazing…" he poked the red skin both weirded out and amazed. "Oh yeah, Nori said that the facility is ready." He looked at her sending her the message that it was that facility.

"Really?" She crawled to the portal and jumped in. "I'll be back." She turned to Itachi with a smile.

"Put on a shirt I can see the lumps and look there are kids here!" He heard as the portal was closing. "You never complained about that before." He heard her say in response making him question just how well they knew each other.